A Day of Nostalgia In Roma (Monday, October 3)

We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Ray and Judy followed by some teary goodbyes as they prepared to head to the airport.
Jim's fondest desire today was to visit our two favorite sites and so off we set.
Four year's ago we spent many a night, sipping on a glass of wine, watching the world unfold while seated at the beautiful Trevi Fountain, which, by the way, is even more beautiful at nighttime. Three proposals of marriage actually took place before us. The Trevi almost fills up a the piazza and is Rome's most famous fountain. I refer to it as the 'rock star of fountains'. Everyone wants to be there! It is crowded, noisey and wonderful! The sculpture shows Neptune's chariot being led by Tritons with two sea horses. One sea horse, representing rough, threatening seas, is quite wild. The other, representing peaceful seas, appears calm. It is a tradition to throw a coin into the fountain to ensure your return to Rome. It worked for us before, so we wanted to guarantee a return! Who says we are superstitious? Upon our arrival, we found the Trevi with NO water and filled with workmen. Ah, no! Crowds still surrounded the fountain. Jim and I decided to take a seat, wondering how to throw a coin into a waterless fountain filled with workmen. Miracle of miracles, the crews vacated the fountain and to the great roar and cheers of the crowd, water began to pour out. Our coins made their mark, guaranteeing our return!!
Next on our list was the 2000 year old Pantheon. Truthfully, it is the most impressive site in Rome with construction that boggles the mind. Beautiful Roman bronze doors welcome one inside. The interior dimensions of this once temple are massive. The extraordinary dome, with it's famous oculus, has puzzled modern engineers as to how the ancient Romans ever conceived of and constructed such a sophisticated structure of unreinforced concrete. Raphael is buried here. We could not have experienced a better day for a visit. Sunlight shone through the oculus, reflecting on the adjacent wall. What a magnificent site.
Jim and I wound our way through the narrow streets back to our hotel. It has been an afternoon of printing off boarding passes, calculating customs' declarations (ugh!) and packing (more ughs!) Tomorrow we head back to Canada! A farewell dinner tonight, a good night's sleep and we are ready!
Arriverderci Roma!